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Budget and pre-book advise please
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ajf
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Location South Africa
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Hi All, I'm looking to do Thailand, Phi Phi island, Angkor wat and Holong bay in November this year. How much should I budget? (tours and travel agents here in South Africa seem to be quoting me quite high around R25 000 for the trip) and should I pre-book accomodation if I'm doing independant travel etc?
#1 Posted: 3/9/2012 - 08:33
Captain_Bob
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ZAR25000 (around USD3000 or THB95000) is a load of money for one month. Most budget-minded backpackers get by on less than half that amount for daily expenses (guesthouse rooms or beach bungalows, food, transport, a few drinks now and then). Plan on around 250-300 Rand/day as a base budget and put aside a stash for emergencies or special activities/luxuries (regional flights, scuba dives, boat cruises, elephant treks, and the occasional posh hotel room or 5-star restaurant). Overseas travel agents are prone to over-stating costs and/or just want you to book everything through them (plus their commission). This is very much a "get here then see" destination. Pretty much everything can be arranged last-minute and cheaper when you buy near the source. One of the most common mistakes is people get to Bangkok and book everything for their trip at some agency, and wind up paying way too much. You can wing it and travel independently, no worries.
#2 Posted: 3/9/2012 - 09:23
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ajf
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Thanks Bob, yeah I thought it was sounding a bit much! If I dont go with the pre-booked pre-organised travel agent suggested trip do you have any advise on places to stay etc, getting around/travel etc for me then please?
#3 Posted: 3/9/2012 - 09:28
ajf
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Or maybe if I sent through what we had planned to do through the travel agent you could give me a better idea of cost and where to stay etc?
#4 Posted: 3/9/2012 - 09:35